The mind is intrinsically empty. It's empty of all that we perceive as being intrinsically "me" and "mine."

Ardently do today what must be done. Who knows? Tomorrow, death comes.

The highest truth cannot be taught except through the conventional truth.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

When we rest in awareness, we discover a peace that is always present, regardless of circumstances.

Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one's own acts, done and undone.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

In the gap between thoughts, nonconceptual wisdom shines continuously.

Meditation is not about escaping from difficulty but about meeting it with awareness.

Enlightenment is the realization that we were never really separate from one another or from all of life.

Appearances are mind, mind itself is emptiness, emptiness itself is spontaneous presence.

As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.

When we recognize that our thoughts are just thoughts, we can choose whether or not to follow them.

Only one book is worth reading: the heart.

The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love. What seeds will you plant there?

The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.

Self-awareness is the key to freedom. The more we understand ourselves, the more we understand how to be free.

May all beings be happy, be peaceful, be liberated.

In meditation, we're not trying to get rid of thoughts but to recognize their true nature.

Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves.

When you realize the emptiness of all phenomena, compassion will arise in your heart for all sentient beings who do not understand this truth.

The purpose of life is to be happy, to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is not to be well known, cited, or powerful.

If you want to know your past life, look into your present condition; if you want to know your future life, look into your present actions.

Our emotions are like waves in the ocean. We can't stop the waves, but we can learn to surf.

The more you understand, the more you love; the more you love, the more you understand.

When you are you, Zen is Zen. Big mind is just big mind.

The more we understand the nature of our mind, the more we understand the nature of our world.

Right practice is steady practice. Whether you feel lazy or diligent, just keep practicing.

The Four Noble Truths are not merely theoretical propositions but a framework for understanding and transforming our experience.

The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities.

The practice of vipassana is the study of the self. When you study physical and mental phenomena, you are studying the truth about yourself.

Meditation is not about trying to change your experience; it's about changing your relationship to your experience.

Concentration is a cornerstone of mindfulness practice. Your mindfulness will only be as robust as your capacity to ground your attention in the present moment.